Swim and Soak

 

Important Reminder about Swimming and Wading

Swimming and wading is prohibited in:
Firehole River at Midway Geyser Basin 200 yards upstream and downstream of the footbridge connecting Midway Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin parking area.
Firehole River in the Upper Geyser Basin From Grand Loop Road Bridge at Biscuit Basin to the Grand Loop Road Bridge approximately ½-mile from Old Faithful Geyser.

 

Yellowstone offers very limited opportunities to swim or soak. High-elevation lakes and rivers swollen with snowmelt make for cold water where hypothermia always presents a risk. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, the water in park hot springs often reaches the boiling point. For this reason, and to protect the park’s unusual thermal environments, soaking in hot springs is prohibited.

In addition, swimming is not allowed in the Bridge Bay Marina Channel.

Warnings

If you choose to swim in Yellowstone’s lakes or rivers, you do so at your own risk. Lifeguards are not present, even at the popular swimming areas listed below.

All thermal waters contain organisms that may cause illness, including skin rash, gastrointestinal illness (vomiting and diarrhea), or other infections that can be life-threatening. The risk of contracting these infections in Yellowstone is not known to be higher than any other natural body of thermal water.

To minimize the risk of illness from swimming and soaking in Yellowstone:

• Avoid swallowing river water.
• Avoid submerging your head or activities that cause water to enter your nose. If you submerge your head, wear nose plugs or hold your nose shut.
• Do not swim if you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

Boiling River

No swimming at Boiling River. Currently, swimming is not possible at Boiling River because of the impacts to the river from the 2022 floods.

 

Left image
Boiling River - July 2014 (before flood event)

Right image
Boiling River - October 2022 (after flood event)

 

Firehole Swim Area

The Firehole Swim Area is located on the Firehole River, two miles south of Madison Junction on Firehole Canyon Drive. Two vault toilets are the only facilities in the area. The river is usually closed to swimming until mid-summer due to high water and strong currents. During years with significant snowpack and runoff, the swim area may remain closed for the entire season. Check our current conditions page for status. Water wings are allowed and life jackets are recommended.

Regulations

• Swimming is only permitted during designated hours. The Firehole Swim area is closed at night.
• Bathing suits are required.
• No food, drink, or alcohol allowed. Cans, bottles, and plastic containers are prohibited in the swim area.
• Use of soap, shampoo, conditioner or any other substance is prohibited (even if it’s biodegradable).
• Climbing, diving, or jumping from the cliffs or from trees in the area is prohibited.
• Rafts, tubes, noodles, pool floats, and similar water toys are prohibited